Kingdom Animalia Class Reptilia Family Colubridae Phylum Chordata Rank Subspecies | Subphylum Vertebrata Suborder Serpentes Subfamily Natricinae Genus Nerodia Order Scaled reptiles | |
Similar Nerodia clarkii, Nerodia, Gulf crayfish snake, Scaled reptiles, Regina rigida | ||
Nerodia clarkii clarkii, the Gulf salt marsh snake, is a subspecies of N. clarkii that is indigenous to the southeastern United States. It is a nonvenomous, colubrid snake that inhabits coastal salt marshes and brackish estuaries along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico from Florida to Texas.
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Description
The Gulf salt marsh snake is a moderately stout aquatic snake. Adult specimens attain an average total length of 38 to 51 cm (15 to 20 in), with the record maximum total length at 91.4 cm (36.0 in). The color pattern in this subspecies is variable, but adults tend to have a dorsum that ranges from dark gray to reddish-brown with four yellowish longitudinal stripes down the body, two on each side. The belly is dark gray to reddish-brown with one to three rows of pale spots.
Reproduction
The Gulf salt marsh snake reaches sexual maturity at three years. Females give birth to 2-44 live young that range from 17.7 to 22.8 centimetres (7.0 to 9.0 in) in total length. Their typical lifespan is up to 20 years.
Diet
These snakes are primarily nocturnal, preying upon small fish, crabs, shrimp, and other invertebrates that become trapped in tidal pools during low tide.